Faith + Obedience = Blessings

Today's Readings: Genesis 11-14, 1 Chronicles 1:24-27

Highlighted Verses and my thoughts:

"The Lord had said to Abram, 'Leave your native country, your relatives, and your father's family, and go to the land that I will show you. I will make you into a great nation. I will bless you and make you famous, and you will be a blessing to others. I will bless those who bless you and curse those who treat you with contempt. All the families on earth will be blessed through you.' So Abram departed as the Lord had instructed, and Lot went with him. Abram was seventy-five years old when he left Haran." Genesis 12:1-4

In reading this again, I am hit much harder with what this verse really meant to Abram (Abraham). How would you feel if God told you to pack up all your relatives and all your belongings and leave the only home you know? Oh, and you are seventy-five years old. Yes, you could argue that seventy-five in Abram's time was not like seventy-five today. Yes, you could argue that times are just different now. But, the fact still remains that it was a lesson in obedience. It probably was helpful that Abram had such a relationship with God to receive his promises of blessings. But, it still gets down to faith and obedience.